SiYuan review
A capable personal knowledge system with strong free features and costly upgrades.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
SiYuan is an open-source personal knowledge management and note-taking application built around block-based documents. It suits people who want structured notes with block-level references, bidirectional links, databases, flashcards and Markdown WYSIWYG editing. Its audience includes self-hosters, privacy-conscious users and anyone who wants the same knowledge base across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and the web. A Chrome/Edge extension adds web clipping, while Docker deployment supports self-hosted installations.
The free plan provides basic functions and local storage for a lifetime, making it a substantial starting point for offline-first personal use. The $64 lifetime PRO Features tier adds third-party S3-compatible storage and WebDAV synchronization and backup integrations. The $148 lifetime Subscription plan includes those PRO features, cloud asset hosting, Cloud Inbox, 8GB of official cloud storage, and official data synchronization and backup. The pricing presentation deserves attention: the Subscription plan is displayed as lifetime, while its FAQ describes the subscription as annual. Buyers should clarify that distinction before choosing the paid tier.
SiYuan’s feature breadth is its main strength. It combines linked notes, relational databases with rollups and templates, spaced-repetition flashcards, exports to PDF, Word and HTML, AI writing and question answering through the OpenAI API, encrypted multi-device synchronization, and browser clipping. That range makes it a fit for personal knowledge workflows that extend beyond simple text notes. It is less suited to buyers seeking a narrowly focused notes app or a clearly defined team-collaboration product. Choose SiYuan for block-level organization, self-hosting and flexible storage options; consider an alternative if predictable subscription terms or collaboration is the priority.
SiYuan pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Block references, bidirectional links, databases and flashcards
- Docker deployment with broad desktop, mobile and web coverage
- Free local storage tier with Markdown WYSIWYG editing
- Where it doesn't
- PRO Features require a $64 one-time payment
- Official cloud services require the $148 Subscription plan
- The Subscription billing presentation is inconsistent
SiYuan fact sheet, pricing and score →
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